Meaning & use
escape route
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Meaning
nouncountable
A way out of a place, especially in an emergency, or a means of avoiding a difficult situation.
Grammar: Countable: use 'a/an' or plural 'escape routes'.
Patterns
- find an escape route
- block the escape route
- have an escape route
- plan an escape route
The building has clearly marked escape routes in case of fire.
The prisoners dug a tunnel as an escape route.
Having a financial escape route gave her confidence to leave the job.
Word forms
| plural | escape routes |
|---|
Common combinations
- emergency escape route
- The emergency escape route was blocked by boxes.
- find an escape route
- They tried to find an escape route from the crowded room.
- block the escape route
- The fallen tree blocked the escape route.
- plan an escape route
- Before the protest, they planned an escape route in case things went wrong.
Synonyms and how they differ
- way out
- More general and informal; can mean any exit, not just for emergencies.
- exit
- A neutral word for a door or opening you leave through; 'escape route' often implies danger or urgency.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: escape route or fire exit?
escape route vs fire exit
A specific type of escape route for fires, usually a door; 'escape route' is broader.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'escape route' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Escape route' is a noun meaning a way out, so An is correct. B is wrong because it is not a verb, C is wrong because it is not food, and D is wrong because it is not a product you buy.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “escape route”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.